Western appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1885-18??, 1887-11-26
BARNuM.s CIRCUS BURNED.

The Great Shows Winter Quarters al
/ bridgeport, Conn.,, Furnishes High Car
niyal for the Fire Fiend-Many Valuable
Animals, Among them the Sacred White
Elephant, C0nsumed-Others Escape,
Creating Haycck In the Streets.
BRIDGEPORT, Conn.,, Nov 2.-The main
building of Barnum & Bailey's Greatest
Show on Earth was entirely destroyed by
ire last evening. About 1890 o'clock an
alarm was sounded, quickly followed by
general alarm, and thousands of people
were drawn to the spot In less than thirty
minutes the large building, which was 600
by 200 feet and two stories in height, was
entirely consumed The Erst intimation Of
the fire was given by the roaring of the
lions and tigers, which seemed to realize
the impending danger Next the elephants
struggled in their chains, but in an incredi-
bly, short time the flames swept from one end
OF the huge structure to the other. There
Were six watchmen employed On the prem
ises, but they were helpless to check the
flames Five of the watchmen have report
ed, but one is missing The upper portion
OF the building was flledswith hay and all
the paraphernalia of the great show. Before
the first alaTm ceased sounding the whole
building was enveloped in fire, and no one
dared to approach the building, being fear
ful of the crazed animals.
three elephants were burned up and
th1rty-six broke from their fastenings
and dashed through the sides of the
burning building Their roars and trum-
petings and sounds Of torment were ter
r1hc. Six elephants and a large African
hlppopotamus rushed about the streets pre-
sentlng sickening appearance Their
sides were burned and great pieces of flesh
a foot square fell off. Thirty elephants and
jprsy mo- hoi1. I,ox
started off across the country toward Fair
field and Easton
Great alarm he's seized many residents of
the west end, and they have taken refuge
within their houses with windows barred
William Newman, the elephant train
Ell, is out Of town, and the keepers
were not able in the excitement
to herd the frightened animals. In the
horse-room were all the ring animals,
trained stations, ponies, etc. These were
all burned. In the upper rooms were the
tents, poles, seats, harness, etc, for the en-
tire show, and these too were all
destroyed In the cat-room were
the BIRDS monkeys, three rhi-
noceroses, hyenas, tigers, lions, and all
the menagerie, which fell a prey to the
flames So rapidly did the flames leap
across the main building, that the tiremen
their streams upon the chariot buildings
and car sheds, whick they succeeded in
saving, but the heat was so intense that
this was accomplished with hegreatest diff
fcnlty.
The Waterman making his round discov-
cred the fire and started to gave the alarm,
when some unknown person hit him on the
head with blunt instrument, fell
ing him to the ground and cutting
a number of severe gashes in his head.
He staggered to his feet and gave the alarm,
enabling the other watchmen in the
building, who were preparing for bed, to
escape. One of the three elephants burned
was the famous sacred white elephant "
The Lion, which the police attempted to kill
ut the time the ire broke out. was after
ward found in q barn devouring COW
which he had killed He was shot. At1a.
N. the fire was out
The total loss is estimated at $500 600.
upon which there was but 100000 insur-
ance Before the building went down Bar
NUNS agents We're busy making arrange
ments for obtaining q new lot OF attrac-
lions to supply the loss. Mr.. Brothwell,
Barnum's Bridgeport agent, said that the
show building would be rebuilt, but mot in
Bridgeport The great show would prob
ably go to Jersey City, where greater rail-
road facilities could be haG